US Air Force seeks to speed up Air Force One delivery as Trump pressures Boeing
The United States Air Force (USAF) is pushing to speed up the delivery of the new Air Force One aircraft as President Trump is growing impatient about receiving a redesigned presidential aircraft before his second term ends in 2029.
During a House Armed Services Committee hearing held on May 7, 2025, Acting Assistant Secretary of the Air Force Darlene Costello said that Boeing is aiming to deliver the new version of the aircraft in 2027, but that she “would not necessarily guarantee that date.”
Costello added that the USAF is collaborating with the White House to determine “what’s acceptable” for Air Force One’s capabilities. She noted that there are still some issues to address, but once they are resolved, a clearer delivery schedule can be provided.
Costello and Lieutenant General David Tabor said in a joint statement during the hearing that that the US Air Force is “committed” to replacing the 35-year-old VC-25A with “reliable air transport equipped with communications capability and security equal to that of the White House.”
“We are working through VC-25B modification delays attributed to interiors supplier transition, manpower limitations, and wiring design completion,” the statement read.
According to the officials, the Air Force is “actively pursuing options” to accelerate VC-25B delivery in coordination with commercial and government stakeholders.
In February 2025, President Trump suggested pursuing an alternative to Boeing’s Air Force One project to ensure that he has a new 747 ready by the end of 2025, after losing patience with Boeing over delays in the delivery of two jets he ordered during his first term.
President Trump and US officials hired technology firm L3Harris to upgrade a Boeing 747 previously used by the Qatari government as a stopgap. The refurbished aircraft will add to the two current presidential Boeing 747-8 aircraft, known as VC-25B.
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The United States Air Force (USAF) is pushing to speed up the delivery of the new Air Force…
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